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Brazil Sends Troops to The Border With Venezuela Amid Growing Tension in The Caribbean Following US Military Movements Including Nuclear Submarine, Cruiser, Destroyers, and F-35 Fighters. Crisis Increases Risk of Regional Instability.
The Defense Minister, José Múcio, stated on Friday (5) that he fears the transformation of Brazil’s border with Venezuela into a “trench” amid the military escalation by the United States in the Caribbean.
According to Folha de S. Paulo, the Brazilian government is already moving troops to the Amazon region, partly because of COP30, but the operation has gained new weight amid the crisis between Washington and Caracas.
“This is like a neighbor’s fight,” the minister said as he left the Palácio da Alvorada after lunch with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the commanders of the Armed Forces.
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Brazil Strengthens Surveillance at Northern Border
The deployment of military personnel aims to increase assistance in remote areas of Roraima and Amazonas, regions described as inhospitable and sensitive to migratory flows and illicit activities.
Múcio declared that the priority is to ensure that the Brazilian territorial limit is not affected by external conflicts.
“Brazil is a peaceful country,” he asserted.
According to Folha de S. Paulo, the minister emphasized that the investment in armaments is solely intended for the defense of national assets and has no offensive character.
US Increases Military Presence in The Caribbean
Meanwhile, the United States has strengthened its naval and aerial presence near Venezuela.
They have sent Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, a Ticonderoga-class cruiser, and a nuclear submarine to the region, accompanied by thousands of military personnel.
It is estimated that over 4,000 sailors and marines are involved.
On Friday (5), Washington also sent ten F-35 fighters to Puerto Rico, the US territory in the Caribbean, as part of the escalation against the regime of Nicolás Maduro.
Collectively, the resources deployed by the US have launch capabilities exceeding 400 missiles, which, according to military analyses, surpass the firepower of the Venezuelan armed forces.
This contingent goes beyond what is necessary for routine operations against drug trafficking, an argument used by Washington to justify the offensive.
F-35 on Alert and Flying Over Venezuela
The decision to position fifth-generation fighters was announced after reports of “provocative” approaches by Venezuelan aircraft to the destroyer USS Jason Dunham.
The American president even stated that Venezuelan planes threatening US ships “would be shot down.”
The F-35s join the already established deployment in the southern Caribbean, increasing pressure on Caracas.
Maduro Responds and Talks of “Armed Struggle”
In response, President Nicolás Maduro declared that Venezuela is prepared to engage in “armed struggle” if attacked.
The Chavista leader stated that the country is in a state of “maximum preparation” and that, regardless of circumstances, the functioning of the state will be maintained.
Attack on Boat and Legal Questions
The crisis intensified further after the US announced the destruction of a boat, allegedly used for drug trafficking, in an operation that left 11 dead.
The Venezuelan government contested the authenticity of the images and accused Washington of extrajudicial executions.
International law experts have raised doubts about the legality of the action.
Petro Criticizes Action and Demands Respect for International Law
The president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, called the attack on the boat a “murder” and emphasized that the fight against drug trafficking must respect the principles of international law.
For him, Colombian collaboration with the US does not justify operations lacking solid legal basis.
Alvorada: Lunch Was “Fraternal,” Without Agenda on Bolsonaro
In Brazil, Múcio stated that the meeting on Friday (5) at Alvorada took place in a “fraternal” atmosphere, just before September 7, and that the trial of former President Jair Bolsonaro was not discussed.
The focus, according to him, remains on ensuring that the border is not dragged into a regional dispute.
According to Folha de S. Paulo, the minister stressed that Brazil is “not eyeing anyone’s land.”
Why The Border Concerns Brasília
In addition to the risk of cross-border incidents, the government fears humanitarian and security impacts in the Amazon.
There is a possibility of increased migratory flows and trafficking of illicit goods in the event of intensified conflict.
The military reinforcement, in this sense, aims to preserve Brazil’s active neutrality and maintain control of the region.
What Is At Stake
Although the US presents the operation as offensive against drug cartels, analysts point out that the deployment of destroyers, a nuclear submarine, and F-35 fighters has evident political weight against Maduro.
The scale of the deployment raises questions about the true objectives of the action and the limits of the use of force in the region.
For Brasília, the priority is to prevent the militarization of the northern border and shield the country from direct consequences.
In this scenario, will Brazil’s strategy of strengthening military presence and relying on diplomacy be sufficient to prevent the Amazon border from becoming an indirect stage for a clash between Washington and Caracas?
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